Aston Martin goes under hammer for charity

The first Aston Martin to cross the Asian Highway will go under the hammer next month, to raise money for the UNICEF China charity.

The V8 Vantage will be auctioned at the Bonhams Important Collectors' Motor Cars, Pioneer and Vintage Motorcycles and Fine Automobilia show during December.

The car has already been driven in over 100,000 of durability tests, as well as a 10,000 journey from Japan to London, crossing 18 countries, raising more than ?100,000 (£71,000) for UNICEF China to provide road safety tools such as educational books and reflective tape to help reduce the horrific child death toll on China's roads.

"I am delighted the car performed faultlessly for what was the V8 Vantage's most challenging test to date," said David King, head of product communications at Aston Martin.

"China is our newest market, so it is particularly fitting that we are already able to contribute to the local and national community."

His sentiments were echoed by Richard Meredith, one of the drivers of the Aston on its world trip.

"Our V8 Vantage behaved perfectly despite occasional low grade fuel which was all we could lay our hands on in the 'stans', and the rough terrain experienced - we didn't experience a single problem with the car," said Mr Meredith.

"The car is a piece of history now, and I am thrilled that Aston Martin has decided on its auction.

"In the same amount of time it took us to complete our 49 day trip an estimated 150,000 people were killed on the world's roads - a figure which includes 25,000 children. I hope that the money will go someway to help resolve this tragic problem."

The car will be sold in its original form complete with sponsors' livery, dirt and knocks from the trip.